Inhaler.



W. 11. DE FORD.

I INHALER.

APPLICATION FILED. FEB. 20, 1912.

1,() 50,62 1 Patented Jan. 14, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. DE FORD, OF DES MOINES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO E. DE TREY & SONS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A PARTNERSHIP.

INHALER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. DE FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Des Moines, Iowa, have invented certain Improvements in Inhalers, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel construction of inhaler, particularly designed to provide a cover for the mouth of a patient, which shall prevent passage of air during such time as the main portion of the inhaler is in position over the nostrils through which an anesthetic is administered; it being especially desired that the construction of the device shall be such as to permit of the elevation or removal of the mouth cover portion of the inhaler independently of that part. covering the nostrils, when for any reason this should be desirable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inhaler having a main portion designed to cover or inclose the nostrils of a patient and provided with means for permitting the administration of an anesthetic, together with a structure adjustably mounted upon the main portion in such manner as to permit of its being placed over the mouth of the patient as may be desirable.

These objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of an inhaler constructed according to my invention, the view showing it as in position with the main portion covering the nostrils of a patient and its adjustable part covering his mouth. Fig. 2 is a plan of the inhaler shown in Fig. 1.

In the above drawings 1 represents a hollow bell like structure, constituting the body of an inhaler of well-known form, whose edge is provided with an inflatable or other suitable rubber pad 2, designed to fit closely around the nostrils of a patient. This body portion is provided with an inlet tube 3, through which an anesthetic may be administered and also has an adjustable valve 4;, which may be closed or adjusted to permit greater or less quantities of air to escape. To the back of this main structure 1 is hinged or pivoted a rod 5, preferably having a bearing enlargement 5 removably fitting a pin 5*, and upon this rod is adjustably mounted a hollow cap or cover 6, open on one face and having its edges like those of the main structure 1, provided with an infiatable or other suitable rubber pad 7,

whereby it is possible to fit it'closely around the mouth.

The pivot or hinge joint through which the cap 6 is connected to the rod 5 has one member provided with a hole for the reception of said rod and carries a clamping screw 8; it being possible to move the cap relatively to the rod from position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to that shown in dotted lines. In order that it may be made to suit various patients, this cap 6 may be adjusted on the rod 5 after loosening the clamping screw and may thereafter be retained in any given position on said rod by tightening the screw.

Under operating conditions the main structure 1 is placed over the nostrils of the patient in the well known manner being held in place by a strap 12 engaging buttons 13 on its opposite sides, and after being adjusted upon the rod 5 to the proper position, is placed over the mouth of the patient. Inasmuch as said cap is completely closed, the patient is compelled to breathe through the nostrils and the anesthetic is administered through the tube 3; the escape of exhaled air being regulated by means of the adjustable cap 4, whose detailed construction forms no part of the present invention.

Should it be necessary or advisable at any time to permit the patient to have air, the mouth-cover or cap 6 may be swung outwardly into the pos ition indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l; the rod 5 turning on its hinged or pivotal connection upon the structure 1. This latter may be also provided with a spring holding clip 9 placed to engage the base of the rod 5, so as tohold the mouth-cover in an inverted position when it is desired to have access to the mouth in order to permit of operations on the teeth or other parts thereof.

It is to be noted that by means of my invention, when a patient is being anesthetized, continuous administration of an anesthetic may be had through the nose, and the mouth is effectually kept covered by the mouth piece 6. Thereafter this latter may be swung out of the way and held elevated by engaging the rod 5 with the clip 9, permitting operations on the mouth and teeth while the administration of the anesthetic is continued through the nose.

I claim:

1. The combination of a main inhaler structure formed to fit over the nostrils; a pivot pin on said main structure; a mouth cover; with a rod attached to said mouth cover and removably and rotatably mounted on said pin.

2. The combination in an inhaler of a hollow structure formed to fit around the nostrils; a rod connected to said hollow structure; with a mouth cover slidably mounted on said. rod so as to bebodily movable toward and from the hollow structure.

8. The combination in an inhaler of a hollow structure having an opening for the admission of an anesthetic and formed to fit around the nostrils; a closed container formed to fit around the mouth; and means connecting the hollow structure and said container; the same including a hinge structure having a supporting member and means for retaining the container in any of a number of adjusted positions on said supporting ;member at different distances from the hollow structure.

4:. The combination in an inhaler of a hollow structure having an opening for the admission of an anesthetic and formed to fit around the nostrils; a closed container formed to fit around the mouth; and a connecting members pivoted respectively to the backs of and extending between the hollow structure and the container.

5. The combination in an inhaler of a hollow structure having an opening for the administration of an anesthetic and formed to fit around the nostrils; a bar movably mounted on said structure; with a hollow closed structure mounted on the bar and formed to fit around the mouth.

6. The combination in an inhaler of a hollow structure having an opening for the administration of an anesthetic and formed to fit around the nostrils; a bar hinged to the back of said structure; and a hollow closed structure adjustably mounted on the bar and formed to fit around the mouth.

7. The combination of a main inhaler structure formed to fit over the nostrils; a mouth cover; a bar pivoted to the main structure and also connected to the mouth cover; and a retaining device on said main structure for holding said bar with the mouth cover in an inoperative position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. DE FORD.

Witnesses:

EDWIN Pnooron, GINLIA HOSSFELD.

Copies ofthispatent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

